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Davis and Smith tied? One Poll says so in race for Democratic nom. for Gov by Mitch E. Perry

Although a St. Petersburg Times poll shows Jim Davis up by 14% over Rod Smith in the Democratic race for Governor, another shows that Smith climbing back a statistical dead heat with the Tampa Congressman.

The poll by Associated Industries shows Congressman Davis at 21%, Rod Smith at 20%, and Still Ã¢â¬â a huge majority Ã¢â¬â 59%, still undecided with only 3 ÃÂ½ weeks before the election.

David Kotchman is a spokesman for State Senator Rod Smith (roll tape#1 o.q.Ã¢â¬?have a long way to goÃ¢â¬?)

The reaction from the Jim Davis camp was to disparage the poll. Spokesman Josh Earnest says Associated Industries is not considered along the lines of other more respected pollsters (roll tape#2 o.q.Ã¢â¬?entertainment purposes onlyÃ¢â¬?)

WMNF contacted Associated Industries of Florida for comment.

The Davis campaign emphasized that their candidate has consistently led in polls since the campaign began Ã¢â¬â which is accurate. But there can be no denying that momentum appears to be building for Rod Smith for awhile- since not that long ago, David enjoyed a double digit lead.

Perhaps the most controversial part of this campaign took place earlier this week, when an independent group sent out fliers to South Florida residents blasting Davis for missing a vote on Congress condemning Hezbollah. The mailer was obviously aimed at Jewish voters. The group that distributed it Ã¢â¬â Florida Working Families Ã¢â¬â has ties to Senator Smith. Jim Davis for Governor Spokesman Josh Earnest said Smith needs to repudiate the ad (roll tape#3 o.q.Ã¢â¬?false attacks against his opponentÃ¢â¬?)

Meanwhile, Rod Smith is broadcasting a new television ad Ã¢â¬â this one that highlights Stem Cell Research.. Spokesman David Kotchman (roll tape#4 o.q. Ã¢â¬Åa leader in this industryÃ¢â¬?)

Smith was a co-sponsor of a failed bill in the legislature that would have directed $15 million in state money to fund embryonic, adult and umbilical cord stem-cell research. Jim Davis says he supported that legislation.